Automated Solar Panel Testing via Unmanned Vehicle Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solar panel testing methods are inefficient and costly due to the need for manual inspection, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially in large solar farms where thousands of panels require evaluation for damage or degradation.

Innovation Solution

A solar panel performance testing system utilizing an unmanned vehicle equipped with a light source and location controller, which moves relative to a solar panel array to provide artificial illumination at defined times, allowing for real-time location data and voltage amplitude correlation to determine each panel's efficacy, thereby identifying operational or defective panels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual inspection methods are used to test solar panels, then testing can be performed with simple equipment, but the testing process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-testing of solar panels through unmanned vehicles that autonomously navigate to panels, activate light sources, measure voltage responses, and transmit data without human intervention. This eliminates manual inspection labor and significantly reduces testing time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical inspection processes are replaced with an automated electronic system comprising unmanned vehicles, light sources, voltage measurement devices, and digital communication systems. This substitution transforms a labor-intensive mechanical process into an efficient automated electronic testing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If automated testing systems are implemented, then testing efficiency and accuracy are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel efficacy identification accuracyVSAvoidtesting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated testing system is segmented into independent functional modules: unmanned vehicles for navigation, light sources for illumination, voltage measurement devices for data collection, and communication systems for data transmission. Each module operates independently but coordinates through standardized protocols, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The unmanned vehicles serve multiple functions: navigation to solar panels, activation of light sources, coordination of voltage measurements, and transmission of test data. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate systems needed, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining accurate panel efficacy identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If comprehensive testing of all solar panels is performed, then complete identification of defective panels is achieved, but resource consumption and testing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefective panel identification reliabilityVSAvoidtesting resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs continuous automated testing of all solar panels in the array without interruption or manual repositioning. Unmanned vehicles systematically navigate through each panel, ensuring complete coverage and reliable identification of defective panels while optimizing resource usage through automated sequential testing rather than repeated manual inspections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This automated system significantly reduces time and cost by enabling efficient testing of solar panels, providing accurate identification of defective panels and estimating remaining operational life, thus optimizing maintenance and operations in solar farms.

Implementation Method 1

A solar panel array includes a plurality of solar panels arranged in series. An unmanned vehicle can be commanded to provide illumination to each individual solar panel to stimulate a voltage response from the solar panel array.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11201586B2Solar panel array performance testing system with defined time and location illumination

Publication Date: 2021.12.14 INVENTUS HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

One example includes a test illumination system comprising a light source and a location controller configured to generate location data associated with a real-time location of the test illumination system. The test illumination system can be configured to move relative to a solar panel array in response to a solar testing protocol to provide illumination from the light source at a defined illumination time to each solar panel of the solar panel array in a sequence to provide a voltage amplitude. The system also includes a solar panel testing controller configured to correlate the location data of the test illumination system, the defined illumination time, and the voltage amplitude for each solar panel of the solar panel array in the sequence to determine an efficacy of each solar panel of the solar panel array.